Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-8

Mikoyan-Gurevich Ye-8 was a supersonic jet fighter developed in the Soviet Union from and to replace MiG-21 (originally named MiG-23). Only two prototypes were built in 1960-61. Original MiG-21's air intakes were moved under the fuselage, freeing up the nose where a larger and more powerful radar able to deliver longer range air-to-air missiles could be built in. Canards were built to both sides of the nose, in front of the cockpit (horizontal stabilizers of MiG-21 were left at their original position).

The two prototypes flew in 1962. On September 11, 1962, the Tumansky R-21F-300 engine, also under development, exploded in midair at speed of Mach 2.15[1], and pieces of the compressor flown apart, seriously injuring Georgy Konstantinovich Mosolov, leading Soviet test pilot of the time, who had to eject at Mach 1.78 and to cease flying (later became head of Aeroflot's office at Helsinki).

Due to unsolved technical problems aircraft's development was abandoned, some parts were used on the MiG-23, including R-23 missiles and their associated Sapfir-23 radar.

General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Length: 16.90 m ()
* Wingspan: 7.15 m ()
* Height: ()
* Wing area: 23.12 m² (ft²
* Empty weight: 5670 kg ()
* Max takeoff weight: 8200 kg ()
* Powerplant: 1× R-21F-300

Performance

* Maximum speed: Mach 2.1
* Service ceiling: 20,000m ()

Armament

R-23, R-3S